Rodgers had already finished four years of active duty but his military contract included a condition that he serve four years of inactive duty, during which he could be called back to serve.

But missing just a couple of days of state police training could have meant his dismissal from the academy, so he was granted a waiver to delay the test.

He continued his schooling, waiting for word from the military.

It wasn't until the eve of his graduation Friday that Rodgers found out he was staying put.

"It was a relief," said Rodgers.

Although the Department of Navy put him on notice in late September that Rodgers could be called back to active duty, he got word from a staffer in the office of U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee, D-Flint, last Thursday that he had been granted a waiver.

"It's good news," said Kildee.

Rodgers had already requested a waiver and Kildee said he pushed for it to be granted, telling military officials that Michigan does not hold training academies every year and it could be a long wait before the next one.

Stuart Bauer | The Flint Journal"I'm trying not to freak out until I know if it goes through," Nikki Rodgers, 22, said in the fall of 2008 about the possible deployment of her husband, Marine Corp. Jeffery Rodgers, 23, to Iraq. Jeffery Rodgers is currently enrolled in the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing.

"(Dropping out of this academy) could have changed his whole life," said Kildee.

Rodgers has been assigned to a state police satellite post in Groveland Township and will spend the next 17 weeks finishing his training on the road.

His first day, Monday, was spent handling traffic crashes.

His wife, Nikki, is thrilled he won't be leaving her and their two young children and Rodgers said he is excited about his new career.